Maharashtra polls: Former encounter specialist Pradeep Sharma’s wife to file nomination from Andheri East as independent candidate

Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], October 28 (ANI): Former encounter specialist Pradeep Sharma announced on Monday that his wife, Swikriti Sharma, will file her nomination as an independent candidate for the Andheri East seat on the last day of nominations, following her exclusion from Shiv Sena’s candidate list for the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly elections.

“Things don’t always go as planned, but that’s politics. With 25,000 supporters from Andheri East, we will file the nomination tomorrow. I am confident people will support my wife when the results are announced on November 23. This isn’t a revolt; it’s a response to the people’s call for us to contest… There may be reasons why we didn’t get the ticket, but we are standing as independents,” he said.

Ahead of her nomination filing on Tuesday, Swikriti Sharma remarked that they would continue serving the people “until our last breath,” stressing they harbour no resentment towards any politician or party.

“We’ve never engaged in politics, nor do we plan to in the future. Our focus is on serving the people… We’re not upset with any political figure or party, but we are disappointed with the candidate selected. People know who truly represents them,” she told ANI.

The Mahayuti alliance has nominated former corporator and BJP member Murji Patel for the Andheri East constituency on a Shiv Sena ticket.

Notably, Tuesday marks the final day for filing nominations for the Maharashtra Assembly elections.

Both the ruling Mahayuti alliance and the opposition MVA — comprising Shiv Sena (UBT), the NCP (Sharad Pawar faction), and Congress — are making every effort to secure victory in the upcoming state elections.

The Maharashtra Assembly elections are scheduled for November 20, with vote counting for all 288 constituencies set for November 23.

In the 2019 assembly elections, the BJP won 105 seats, Shiv Sena 56, and Congress 44. In 2014, the BJP secured 122 seats, Shiv Sena 63, and Congress 42.